Mattie Stepanek, born July 17, 1990, was an American poet, but a very young one. He started writing poetry at 3, to cope with his older brothers death. His brother died because he had a rare disease of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial, a disease that the whole family had, including his mother, who had the adult form. His first 5 books, Heartsongs, Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs, Celebrate Through Heartsongs and Loving Through Heartsongs all made the New York Times bestsellers list.One book, Just Peace was awarded the IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards). In the year 2002, Mattie became the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador. Mattie also made many appearances on known TV shows throughout America. He appeared on theOprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. Also, in 2003, Billy Gilman, an American country star, made a album calledMusic Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek. The album made number 15 on the US top country chart, and number 109 on the US billboard 200.
Sadly, Maddie Stepanek died on June 22, 2004, and had a huge funeral, with Oprah Winfrey, Billy Gilman, and Jimmy Carter, who even did a eulogy.
While Mattie is no longer on this earth, his legend lives on. For example, the people of King Farm neighborhood, in Rockville, Maryland started a voulenteer run, non profit orginization, called the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation. The goal of the foundation is for teachers to help students of all ages understand Mattie's book, Heartsongs. Also, in Rockville, a 26-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek park was dedicated, and thousands of people were there.
Although his life was short, he touched the world more than most do in a lifetime.
A NEW HOPE BY MATTIE STEPANEK I need a hope.a new hope. A hope that reaches for the stars, and That does not end in violence or war. A hope that make peace on our earth, and That does not create evil in the world. A hope that finds cures for all diseases, and That does not make people hurt, In their bodies, in their hearts Or most of all, in their spirits. I need a hope.a new hope, A hope that inspires me to live, and To make all these things happen, So that the whole world can have A new hope, too.
ON BEING A CHAMPION BY MATTIE STEPANEK
A Champion is a winner, A hero... Someone who never gives up Even when the going gets rough. A champion is a member of A winning team... Someone who overcomes challenges Even when it requires creative solutions. A champion is an optimist, A hopeful spirit... Someone who plays the game, Even when the game is called life. There can be a champion in each of us, If we live as a winner, If we live as a member of the team, If we live with a hopeful spirit, For Life.
Mattie Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004)Report By: Mimi N'Diaye
Mattie Stepanek, born July 17, 1990, was an American poet, but a very young one. He started writing poetry at 3, to cope with his older brothers death. His brother died because he had a rare disease of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial, a disease that the whole family had, including his mother, who had the adult form. His first 5 books, Heartsongs, Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs, Celebrate Through Heartsongs and Loving Through Heartsongs all made the New York Times bestsellers list.One book, Just Peace was awarded the IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards). In the year 2002, Mattie became the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador. Mattie also made many appearances on known TV shows throughout America. He appeared on theOprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. Also, in 2003, Billy Gilman, an American country star, made a album calledMusic Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek. The album made number 15 on the US top country chart, and number 109 on the US billboard 200.
Sadly, Maddie Stepanek died on June 22, 2004, and had a huge funeral, with Oprah Winfrey, Billy Gilman, and Jimmy Carter, who even did a eulogy.
While Mattie is no longer on this earth, his legend lives on. For example, the people of King Farm neighborhood, in Rockville, Maryland started a voulenteer run, non profit orginization, called the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation. The goal of the foundation is for teachers to help students of all ages understand Mattie's book, Heartsongs. Also, in Rockville, a 26-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek park was dedicated, and thousands of people were there.
Although his life was short, he touched the world more than most do in a lifetime.
A NEW HOPE
BY MATTIE STEPANEK
I need a hope.a new hope.
A hope that reaches for the stars, and
That does not end in violence or war.
A hope that make peace on our earth, and
That does not create evil in the world.
A hope that finds cures for all diseases, and
That does not make people hurt,
In their bodies, in their hearts
Or most of all, in their spirits.
I need a hope.a new hope,
A hope that inspires me to live, and
To make all these things happen,
So that the whole world can have
A new hope, too.
ON BEING A CHAMPION
BY MATTIE STEPANEK
A Champion is a winner,
A hero...
Someone who never gives up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team...
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions.
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit...
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For Life.